News Broadcasting
I&B looking at legal options, studying status abroad of ads on pay channels
NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: The government today sent out a clear warning that it was willing to u se all in its powers to go after “defiant” pay broadcasters who continued to “thwart” its attempts to introduce a conditional access system in the country.
Information and broadcasting minister ravi Shankar Prasad, expressing his “disappointment” at the stances taken by the likes of Star India and Sony Entertainment, said the government was well aware of its legal rights in such a case and if the broadcasters did not change their stances and become more “consumer-friendly”, it would take suitable measures.
Prasad also said he had directed his officials to study media laws in other countries to verify what is the status of pay channels vis-a-vis advertisements. Though the minister did not spell out what action was being contemplated, the warning was obvious: toe the line or else…
Meanwhile, the fallout of yesterday’s “fiasco” of a meeting on pay channel pricing was also felt in the corridors of power in the capital.
I&B ministry secretary Pawan Chopra was called to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today by principal secretary to the PM Brajesh Misra for an update on the vexed issue. It is learnt that the PMO’s office instructed Chopra to ensure “that the price line be guarded” at all costs. Chopra was closetted with Prasad for over three hours after that debating what was to be done.
In the event that errant pay channels do not indicate individual channel prices that are “consumer friendly”, the ministry is reportedly considering invoking Clause 12 of its CAS notification which will mean that post-14 July, these channels need not be carried by the cable service provider.
And what of the pricing paper that was circulated yesterday? As far as the government is concerned, it has rejected it outright as not being serious in intent. And since it is an unsigned paper, it has no legal tender either is the government’s contention.
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
